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News Article

Forces in Afghanistan Detain Taliban Commanders

American Forces Press Service

KABUL, Dec. 16, 2009  Combined Afghan and international forces detained four Taliban commanders and other suspected militants in three operations in two Afghanistan provinces today, military officials reported.

In Wardak province, a combined force searched a compound near the village of Bhardokheyl where intelligence sources reported militant activity. They detained two Taliban commanders involved with bombing activity and responsible for several attacks in the area.

Another Taliban commander and a few other militants were detained in an operation in western Kandahar. This commander has led a sizable militant element and is responsible for a number of bombing attacks in the area. A combined force searched a compound near the village of Haji Abdourraf in the Zhari district where intelligence sources reported the Taliban commander to be, and detained him without incident.

In a third operation, a combined force detained another sought-after Taliban commander and other militants in central Kandahar province. This commander is believed responsible for several attacks in the area and has links to other militant elements.

The combined force searched compounds near the village of Pitaway in the Arghandab district where intelligence sources reported the commander to be and detained the militants.

No shots were fired, and no one was harmed during the operations, officials said.